Who Would Make the Oakland Athletics’ All-Time 25-Man Roster?
The Athletics are one of the most storied franchises in baseball history, having existed since 1901. Over that time, they’ve won nine World Championships and 15 American League pennants. The A’s started in Philadelphia, of course, before moving to Kansas City in 1955 and eventually becoming today’s Oakland Athletics in 1968.
With a franchise that has been around for so long, there are plenty of players who have made an impact and helped to create history. The A’s have five retired numbers, as well the league-wide retirement of “42” for Jackie Robinson. There are 38 former A’s in the Baseball Hall of Fame, in addition to six former managers. The Athletics are certainly a key part of the fabric of baseball.
As the current A’s front office tries to create the best possible roster for next season, the Swingin’ A’s staff took a look back on the history of the franchise. If the organization were to create a 25-man roster now using any player in franchise history, who would they pick?
Rosters have changed over time, and in Oakland especially, flexibility is key. But for this roster, we went with a five-man rotation and seven-man bullpen, as well as eight starting fielders. On the bench, we selected two infielders, two outfielders, and a backup catcher.
After the staff voted on each position, the editors worked together to compile the final list. Spot a snub or see someone who didn’t deserve to make the cut? Feel free to sound off in the comments below!
Now, without further adeiu, let’s check out the past and present Athletics’ stars who would be on the all-time roster:
Next: The Rotation: Starting Pitcher #1
Starting Pitcher #1: Catfish Hunter
Unlike some teams, the A’s refuse to bestow jersey retirement honors on just anyone. Catfish Hunter is one of the few to make the cut, having had his number 27 retired after what can only be described as one of the most stellar careers in baseball history.
Hunter won the Cy Young in 1974, after placing in the top five in both of the previous seasons. He was the runner-up the following year, proving that he was not just good but consistent. An eight-time All-Star, Hunter led the league in wins in both 1974 and 1975 and finished with the best overall record in 1972 and 1973. In 1975, he pitched 30 complete games, including seven shutouts.
It’s hard to think of a better pick for the A’s all-time ace than this right-hander, who debuted in 1965 with the Kansas City A’s and stuck with the Athletics through their move to Oakland. He finally moved on to the New York Yankees after winning arbitration due to a contract violation. Before the 1975 season, Hunter signed a five-year, $3.35 million-deal with New York, making him the highest-paid player in baseball at the time.
Hunter’s best game came on May 8, 1968, when he pitched a perfect game against the Minnesota Twins in Oakland. It was the ninth perfect game in major league history. Hunter also scored three of the four runs in the game, including the only run the team needed – a seventh-inning bunt that scored the first run of the game. He also had a two-RBI single in the eighth inning, making his outing even more impressive.
Hunter was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987, and later the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame in 1990. His Cooperstown plaque does not have a team logo on it, as he didn’t want to choose between his two former teams. Hunter was truly a great player, and he is more than deserving of ace honors.
Runner-Up: Sonny Gray
Let’s be clear: Sonny Gray is not the runner-up ace of the starting rotation. There were five superior pitchers who made the “first round” rotation. But will people someday think of him in the same way they think of Hunter or any of the other names on the list? Gray is just 26 years old, but barring an injury, he’ll make his third Opening Day start next season. He went from not making the roster out of Spring Training in 2013 to becoming the ace in 2014, including winning AL Pitcher of the Month honors in both April and July. In 2015, he went on to become an All-Star.
With a career record of 33-21 and an ERA of 2.88, there’s a lot to like about Gray. He’s no All-Time Greatest Pitcher, but he certainly has the potential to end up on this list at some point, assuming he’s not traded away.
Next: The Rotation: Starting Pitcher #2
Starting Pitcher 2: Vida Blue
Vida Blue started his 17 year MLB career with the Oakland Athletics in 1969, just one year after the team moved from Kansas City to the East Bay. Blue spent a total of nine years with the Athletics before moving across the Bay to the San Francisco Giants. During his time with Oakland, he was part of three World Series Championship teams and named an All-Star three times. Lastly, while still a rookie, Blue threw a no-hitter against the Minnesota Twins on September 21, 1970.
Unlike most left handed pitchers, Blue was known for his powerful and precise pitching style. He consistently hit the strike zone with his curveball, changeup and fastball, which could reach up to 100 MPH. His throwing skills also translated to football where he was the starting quarterback for his high school team. Blue actually ended up receiving multiple multiple offers to play college football, but he ultimately chose baseball and the Oakland Athletics.
During his time with the Athletics, he became an integral part of the rotation throughout the mid-1970s. From 1973-1975, Blue had a 59-35 record with a 3.18 combined ERA over those seasons. Vida and his fellow A’s pitchers had enough talent to be able to throw a combined no-hitter against the California Angels in 1975.
However, 1971 was probably his best year with the Oakland Athletics. Blue won the AL MVP and Cy Young, and he held the AL ERA leader title by the time the season came to a close. Additionally, he had a career high of eight shutouts that season as well as a 1.82 ERA, which was the lowest throughout his MLB career.
Runner-Up: Rube Waddell
When we go way back in Athletics’ history, we find starting pitcher Rube Waddell, who was with the Philadelphia Athletics from 1902-1907. The A’s were the fifth team that he played for in a baseball career began back in 1897. During his time with the Athletics, he was a six-time AL strikeout leader as well as the AL ERA leader and wins leader in 1905. Waddle was known as a power pitcher even though he was sometimes unpredictable. But his talent and skills paid off, and he was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1946.
Next: The Rotation: Starting Pitcher #3
Starting Pitcher 3: Dave Stewart
The Oakland Athletics’ all-time rotation wouldn’t be complete without Oakland native and right-handed superstar Dave Stewart. Stewart, who was drafted by the Dodgers and made his debut with them in 1978, was born and raised in the Bay Area, and in 1986, he finally got the chance to play for his hometown team.
Stewart’s career took off after he signed with Oakland. Despite having already acquired a World Series ring with the Dodgers, Stewart’s best years came with the A’s. He won 20 or more games in four consecutive seasons, and he was an All-Star in 1989. The following year, he pitched a no-hitter on June 29, and he also won the Roberto Clemente Award that same season.
Stewart’s best moments came in 1989, when he pitched in the World Series for the Athletics. He was named World Series MVP that year, after he got the opportunity to pitch in both Game 1 and Game 3. The earthquake that postponed Game 3 gave him the chance to rest between starts, and so he had the chance to help the A’s to a World Championship much sooner than expected.
Stewart also won a World Series with the Toronto Blue Jays after signing with them before the 1993 season, and he was named ALCS MVP for the second time in his career – the first being in 1990 with the A’s.
In 1995, Stewart returned to the Oakland Athletics, but he retired after having a tough start to the season. Despite the rough ending, he’s one of the best pitchers in A’s history.
Runner-Up: Bob Welch
Right-hander Bob Welch was supposed to start Game 3 of the 1989 World Series, after picking up a win in the ALCS. However, the delay caused by the earthquake meant that the A’s could use their ace in the third game of the series instead, and so Stewart got the start despite the fact that Welch had went 17-8 during the season.
Welch made his debut with the Dodgers in 1978 and played with the A’s from 1988-1994. During his career, he was a two-time All-Star who took home World Series rings in the 1981 and 1989 seasons, as well as picking up another Championship win as a pitching coach for the Diamondbacks in 2001. With the Athletics, Welch won the Cy Young in 1990 after leading Major League Baseball with 27 wins.
Next: The Rotation: Starting Pitcher #4
Starting Pitcher 4: Eddie Plank
Many younger A’s fans may not recognize Eddie Plank‘s name, given that his final game was nearly a century ago, but Plank is the A’s franchise leader in Wins Above Replacement. During his time with the A’s, he earned a 76.0 WAR – which is only a fraction of his total career WAR. This is partly due to the fact that Plank spent 14 years with the Philadelphia Athletics, where he maintained an ERA of 2.39 and struck out 1985 batters.
Plank signed with the A’s in 1901, and he started 25 games or more for the Athletics in all but his final season with the team. He is ranked 16th all time in WAR for pitchers, and he had an AL Top-10 record in 13 of his 17 seasons.
After his time with the A’s, Plank moved on to St. Louis, where he continued to have success on the mound. The left-hander was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1946, after being selected by the Old Timers Committee. Although it’s easy to forget about the baseball greats of the early part of the last century, Plank is one of the best pitchers in Athletics’ history.
Runner-Up: Mark Mulder
Mark Mulder was the second-overall pick in the 1998 draft, and he flew through the Major League system before debuting with the Oakland Athletics in 2000. Mulder was considered a part of the “big three”, along with Barry Zito and Tim Hudson, and together the trio helped carry the A’s to the post-season four years in a row. In 2001, Mulder led the AL in wins with 21, and he also led the league with nine complete games in 2003 and five in 2004. He was named an All-Star in 2003 and 2004, and it’s hard to imagine the Athletics early-2000 golden years without him. Of course, even all of his accomplishments didn’t stop the Athletics from trading him away to the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for Daric Barton, Dan Haren and Kiko Calero.
Next: The Rotation: Starting Pitcher #5
Starting Pitcher 5: Barry Zito
Barry Zito was beloved by not just Oakland Athletic fans but the entire Bay Area. Throughout his 15-season career, Zito only played for the Athletics and the San Francisco Giants. He was drafted by the A’s in 1999 and came up through their farm system making his Major League Debut on July 22, 2000.
Zito was a starting pitcher for the A’s from 2000-2006. He is best known for being part of the “Big Three”, which also included Tim Hudson and Mark Mulder. These three starting pitchers dominated Oakland’s starting rotation from 2000 to 2004.
During that time, Zito had one of the best seasons of his career. In 2002, Zito held a 2.75 ERA with a 23-5 winning record for the season. Because of his outstanding performance that year, he won the American League Cy Young Award and it was the first out of a total of three appearances as an All-Star.
His success as a starting pitcher continued and he earned the Opening Day nod in 2005. Even though Zito left the A’s after the 2006 season, he would ultimately return to make a comeback in 2015. In 2015, he signed a minor league contract with the Athletics. Everyone held their breath, waiting for Zito the take the mound at the O.co Colisuem once more. On September 26, 2015, Zito started against none other than former teammate Hudson when the A’s and Giants played each other in a three game series. Mudler also joined these two starters on the field prior to one of the games so that the Big Three could be honored during the pre-game ceremonies. After successfully making it back to the Majors this past season, Zito ultimately retired from playing Major League Baseball and began a new journey – as a country music singer.
Runner Up: Tim Hudson
As part of the Big Three, Hudson should definitely be recognized as one of the Athletics’ great starters. Like Zito, Hudson was also drafted by the Oakland Athletics – once in 1994 and again in 1997 – and spent five years with the organization from 1999 to 2004. Hudson’s best seasons with the A’s were between 2001 to 2003, but an injury sidelined him in 2004. The Oakland Athletics traded Hudson to the Atlanta Braves before the 2005 season.
Next: The Infield: First Base
First Base: Jimmie Foxx
Jimmie Foxx played professional baseball for 20 years, but he is most recognized for his time with the Philadelphia Athletics and the Boston Red Sox. Foxx started off his baseball career with the Athletics in 1925 at just 17 years old and spent a total of ten years with the team.
Foxx was a catcher by trade, but that position was already filled by Mickey Cochrane, who would be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1947. As a result, Foxx split time between catcher, first base and the outfield. However, in 1929 the A’s made Foxx their full-time first baseman, which benefited his offense as well.
In 1929, Foxx did so well that he appeared on the cover of Time magazine. He batted .354 that year and hit 33 home runs. Shockingly enough, this was not his best season with the A’s. Offensively, Foxx was in his prime from 1932 to 1935, when he held a combined .350 batting average with 186 homers and 577 RBI over those 600 games. Foxx was one of the most feared sluggers of his time along with Babe Ruth.
When the Great Depression hit, the Athletics’ owner at the time could not keep paying some of his star players and ended up selling Foxx to the Boston Red Sox. When his baseball career came to an end, Foxx held the record for youngest player to reach 500 home runs and was the second player in baseball history to reach that number of homers behind Ruth. Foxx’s record was ultimately superseded by Alex Rodriguez in 2007.
Runner Up: Mark McGwire
Like many of the A’s all-time greats, Mark McGwire was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in 1984 and came up through their Minor League system. He made his MLB debut with the Oakland in 1986 and won Rookie of Year in 1987. McGwire was with the Athletics for 13 years and has a slew of awards to prove his success while with the team. McGwire currently holds the record the best at-bats per home run ratio, with a long ball every 10.61 at bats. Babe Ruth is second. McGwire was also the faster player to hit 500 home runs, but his use of performance-enhancing drugs tarnished his reputation. In his career, he was a 12-time All-Star, and he led the league in home runs five times.
Next: The Infield: Second Base
Second Base: Eddie Collins
Eddie Collins is the clear-cut winner at second base, but much like many of the other players on this list, he played so long ago that he’s often forgotten. Collins was a star infielder for the Philadelphia Athletics from 1906 to 1914, and he returned as a player-coach from 1927 to 1930 after spending 12 years with the White Sox. He’s the only major league player to ever spend at least 12 years with two different franchises, and one of a handful who can say their career spanned parts of four decades. Many historians rank him in their Top 100 players of all time, and for good reason.
Collins was a four-time World Series champion, in 1910, 1911, 1913 and 1917, and he took home Most Valuable Player honors in 1914. He also led the league in stolen bases in four seasons, including a career-high of 81 in 1910. In his first full season in 1909, Collins hit .347 with 67 stolen bases in 102 games.
Collins finished his career with a .333/.424/.429 line, including 741 stolen bases over the course of 25 years. He was elected into the Hall of Fame in 1939, and his 123.9 career WAR is tenth overall in the history of position players – just ahead of baseball legend Ted Williams. Collins is truly unmatched in Athletics’ infield history.
Runner-Up: Mark Ellis
The staff actually voted for Mark Ellis as the A’s All-Time second baseman, but I took some editorial liberty and knocked him down to runner-up because Collins was historically one of the best players in the game. Ellis, who was drafted by the Royals in 1999, made his major league debut with the Oakland A’s in 2002, after being traded alongside fellow A’s stars Johnny Damon and Cory Lidle. In 2006, Ellis became the American League record holder for fielding percentage in a single season, with a near-perfect (.99685) effort. He did not win a Gold Glove Award, but it was still an impressive feat. On June 4, 2007, Ellis became the sixth player to hit for the cycle in Athletics history. During his nine years with the A’s, he was a .265/.331/.397 hitter, stealing 62 bases and hitting 86 home runs before finally being traded to the Colorado Rockies in 2011. He played with the Dodgers and Cardinals as well, and finally retired last season.
Next: The Infield: Shortstop
Shortstop: Miguel Tejada
Hailing from the Dominican Republic, Miguel Tejada started off his Major League Baseball career with the Oakland Athletics in 1997. As he slowly improved over the next two years, he became the starting shortstop in 1998 and also became part of a young successful core that got the A’s to the postseason in 2000 to 2003.
The 2002 season was Tejada’s breakout year with the Athletics, when he hit .308 with an .861 OPS. He demonstrated that he was not only strong at driving runs in, with 131 RBIs, but also was a speedy and calculated base runner. His performance that year earned him the American League MVP Award.
Tejada went on to play for six different baseball organizations. Despite his alleged steroid use, he is known as one of the better shortstops in the 21st century. He is a two-time Silver Slugger and a six-time All Star. He also played in 1,152 consecutive games from 2001 to 2007. Overall, he was a powerful athlete that helped get the Oakland Athletics back on their feet after they struggled in the 1990s.
Runner Up: Bert Campaneris
Bert Campaneris, also known as Campy, was thrown back into the limelight prior to the 2015 season when Will Ferrell attempt to recreate Campy’s game where he played all nine baseball positions. When Campaneris completed this feat back in 1965 with the Kansas City Athletics, it was a promotional stunt to display Campy’s athleticism and attract fans. However, Campaneris was much more than a trick pony, and he spent 13 of his successful 19 years in baseball with the Athletics organization. During that time, he hit .262/.314/.348, but swiped 566 bases. He was also a six-time All Star, and he lead the league in stolen bases in six seasons during his career.
Next: The Infield: Third Base
Third Base: Eric Chavez
Eric Chavez cracks the Athletics’ top twenty in franchise career WAR thanks to two factors: his longevity with the organization, and his stellar defense. Chavez was a first round draft pick in 1996, and unlike most first-rounders, he played to expectations. He made his major league debut in 1998 and remained one of the most beloved A’s until 2010, when he was granted free agency.
Chavez’s defense helped him to become one of the longest-tenured Oakland Athletics. The six-time Gold Glove Award winner led the league in putouts and assists multiple times, and was either first or runner-up in double plays turned five times in his career. He led the AL in range factor per game in 2002, 2003 and 2004, and he also was ranked first in fielding percentage in both 2001 and 2006.
Chavez was capable of more than just good defense, though. He picked up a Silver Slugger Award in 2002, after hitting .275/.348/.513 with 34 home runs and eight stolen bases. Chavez’s later years hurt him, but he still finished his career with an OPS of .818 and 260 homers.
Of course, Chavez’s value declined steeply after he signed a $66 million, 6-year extension in 2004. Although the first few seasons were acceptable, injuries forced him to miss most of the season each year, beginning in 2007. Still, there are few players who are as beloved by a fan base as Chavez is by the Athletics. If it were put to a vote, the majority of fans would pick Chavez for All-Time third baseman every time.
Runner-Up: Carney Lansford
Third baseman Carney Lansford is one of the greats in A’s history, but he just couldn’t beat out Chavez for the popular vote. Lansford had a fifteen-year career, including spending the final ten years with Oakland. He was an All-Star in 1988, and he hit .288/.343/.404 with 146 stolen bases and 548 RBIs during his time with the A’s. As he got older, Lansford spent time at first base and designated hitter, presumably to give him a break from the hot corner. Born in San Jose, California, Lansford was another Bay Area native who helped to clinch the 1989 World Series. His other accomplishments included winning the AL batting title in 1981, as he also took home the Silver Slugger award that same season. He holds the record for the highest average in a season by any right-handed hitter in Oakland history, at .336.
Next: The Infield: The Backups
Infield Backup: Jason Giambi
In 1992, the Oakland Athletics selected Jason Giambi in the second round of the draft. He made his way up through the A’s farm system until his MLB debut in 1995. He played a plethora of positions during his first two years with Oakland including first base, third base, and in the outfield. He ultimately earned the starting first baseman role in 1997 when Mark McGwire was traded.
The 2000 and 2001 seasons were the best years of Giambi’s tenure in Oakland. In 2000, he led the American League in walks with 137, and in on-base percentage with .476. He also hit a career high of 43 homers, which was the second most in the AL. He was awarded the AL MVP that year and was an All-Star. In 2001, when his offense was eerily similar to his 2000 performance, he earned a Silver Slugger award and returned to the All-Star Game for a second year in a row.
Known for his strong bat, Giambi signed a massive long term contract with the New York Yankees once he became a free agent after the 2001 season. He did come back to Oakland for a short while in 2009. He played until he incurred an injury that placed him on the DL in July of that year. The A’s ultimately let him go on August 7, 2009, and he spent time with the Colorado Rockies and Cleveland Indians before retiring at the end of the 2014 season.
Next: The Infield: The Backups
Infield Backup: Home Run Baker
Home Run Baker is one of the many players who contributed to the Philadelphia Athletics’ 1910, 1911 and 1913 World Series wins. The three-time World Champion played third base – and only third base – but he makes this list because of his power-hitting ability.
From 1911 to 1914, Baker led the American League in home runs. He had a career average of .307, which consistently ranked him in the top-ten among AL hitters. His OPS was consistently in the top ten, as well, and he led the league in RBIs in two consecutive seasons. Baker received MVP votes in four of his 13 seasons, although he never took home the actual award.
The Athletics’ left-handed slugger was one of the few power hitters in the deadball era. His 10-home-run-per-year average may not sound impressive, but considering his career spanned from 1908 to 1922, it’s a much bigger feat that it seems. Baker also swiped 235 bags during his career, so it’s not as if he was a one-tool player.
After seven seasons in Philadelphia, Baker headed to the New York Yankees. He was eventually inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1955 after being selected by the Veteran’s Committee.
Next: The Infield: Starting Catcher
Starting Catcher: Terry Steinbach
During the 1983 Major League Baseball Draft, the Oakland Athletics took Terry Steinbach as their ninth round pick. Even though he started out in the Minor Leagues as a third baseman, he was switched over to catcher after two years. Three years later, he made his Major League Debut on September 12, 1986 and hit a home run in his first at-bat in the big leagues.
Steinbach spent 11 long years with Oakland. Over those years, he was a three-time All-Star, an MLB All-Star Game MVP, and a World Series Champion. He posted a respectable .275 batting average during his time with the A’s, with a .426 slugging percentage. =
Just like his offense, his defensive skills were the definition of consistent. His career fielding percentage as a catcher was .989. Additionally, he only committed 92 errors over 1381 games played in that position. In 1988, Steinbach was hit by a ball and suffered five fractures around his left eye, which resulted in corrective surgery. He overcame this hurdle and continued to be the Oakland Athletics starting catcher until 1997.
Runner Up: Mickey Cochrane
Catcher Mickey Cochrane made his Major League debut in 1925 with the Philadelphia Athletics. By the end of his rookie season, he was considered one of the best catchers in all of baseball. Known for his competitive attitude, Cochrane had a strong bat and contributed to the powerful Athletics’ lineup at the time. Even though he is sometimes blamed for the 1931 World Series lose, his overall success supersedes any of his past mistakes. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1947.
Next: The Infield: Backup Catcher
Backup Catcher: Kurt Suzuki
Kurt Suzuki is an interesting choice for this, but the group felt that in picking a reserve catcher, Suzuki fit the bill. Drafted by the Athletics in 2004, he made his debut at age 23 in 2007. Currently, Suzuki is an All-Star catcher for the Minnesota Twins, but he spent the first five and a half major league seasons – as well as half of the 2013 season – with the A’s organization. During that time, Suzuki batted just .255/.311/.380 with 59 home runs and 16 stolen bases.
However, Suzuki led the league in games played as a catcher in 2008 and 2009, and has consistently ranked high in defensive categories like range factor and fielding percentage. He also had a top-five caught stealing percentage in 2008 and 2012.
Mostly, Suzuki made the cut because in terms of backup catchers, a team wants someone who is consistently ready to play when needed and can jump in and provide veteran leadership to a somewhat-unfamiliar pitching staff. Considering that Suzuki replaced beloved hometown star Joe Mauer in Minnesota, the Twins seem to be in agreement with those on the Swingin’ A’s staff who rate Suzuki as one of the top defensive catchers.
Suzuki is one of the most dependable and energetic catchers in the league, and the Athletics were lucky to have him play for them in his prime.
Runner-Up: Ramon Hernandez
The second-place finisher for backup-catcher extraordinaire was A’s veteran backstop Ramon Hernandez. Hernandez debuted with the Oakland Athletics in 1999, hitting .279/.363/.397 in his first partial season. He spent five season in an A’s uniform, including an All-Star season in 2003, when he hit 21 home runs, knocked in 78 RBIs and scored 70 runs. He also lead the league in throwing out would-be base stealers in 2006, and ranked in the top four for caught stealing percentage in two other seasons. Hernandez will never be remembered as a superstar, but his consistency and his defensive talent make him a great backup catcher on the All-Time roster.
Next: The Outfield: Right Field
Right Field: Reggie Jackson
Outfielder Reggie Jackson played for both the Kansas City Athletics and the Oakland Athletics, from 1967-1975. He was the second overall draft pick in 1966, selected by the A’s. Jackson quickly broke into the big leagues, debuting in June of 1967.
Offensively, Jackson put up huge numbers while he was with Oakland and is most lovingly known as “Mr. October” because he had very timely hitting during postseason runs with the A’s and then with the New York Yankees. Jackson is credited with helping the A’s win five consecutive AL West divisional pennants, three consecutive AL pennants and two consecutive World Series titles. He batted .262 with an .851 OPS during his ten years with the A’s, and he was an All-Star six times and won the AL MVP in 1973 while with the organization.
In 1993, Jackson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Almost ten years later, Jackson’s number was retired by the Oakland Athletics in 2004. Throughout his 21 season baseball career, Jackson reached the postseason 11 times as well as won six pennants and five World Series.
Runner-Up: Josh Reddick
Josh Reddick has become a fixture in the A’s outfield in recent years and he is expected to stay there for quite some time. After the 2015 season, the Oakland Athletics’ front office expressed their interest to sign Reddick to a long term contract before he hits free agency. Even though Reddick struggled with the Boston Red Sox before coming to the Athletics, he has ultimately found success in Oakland and could continue to thrive here for years to come. If he does stay, Reddick could eventually make the cut as an All-Time great, but for now, he remains a runner-up.
Next: The Outfield: Center Field
Center Fielder: Dave Henderson
Dave Henderson had a lengthy career before arriving in Oakland, having spent six years in Seattle as well as time in Boston and San Francisco. But it was during his six-year tenure with the Athletics that he won a World Series Championship, became an All-Star, and had the best seasons of his career.
Henderson joined the Athletics in the 1988 season, after a particularly bad year that saw him traded from the Red Sox to the Giants, and he rebounded spectacularly. That season, he hit .304/.363/.525 – the best year in his 14-year career. He went on to help the Athletics win the 1989 World Series, and he was named an All-Star in 1991.
Henderson was as asset both defensively and offensively, although his defense started to decline a bit as he aged. In 1989, however, he was a Top-10 player in terms of Defensive WAR, and in 1988 he was ranked sixth overall among position players in WAR.
The outfielder had a powerful swing, hitting 104 home runs during his stint with the A’s. Despite his tendency to strike out, his career .756 OPS makes him a good fit on the All-Time roster.
Runner-Up: Al Simmons
The Philadelphia Athletics saw a lot of talented players come through their system, and Al Simmons was no exception. He holds the franchise record for the highest career batting average, at .356, as well as the most runs ever scored in a season – 152 of them in 1930. Simons also holds a pair of franchise records for hits in a season: his 253 hits in 1925 were the most ever by a right-handed hitter, while his 183 in 1924 were the highest total for any A’s rookie.
Simmons played with the Athletics for nine years before heading to the Chicago White Sox, where he was a three-time All-Star. Before he left, he won the American League batting title in 1930 and 1931. Simmons was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1953 after a lengthy and impressive career.
Next: The Outfield: Left Field
Left Field: Rickey Henderson
The Oakland Athletics have always prided themselves on having a talented farm system that can help the major league team. One of the many players that the A’s drafted who rose to become a successful player with in Oakland was outfielder Rickey Henderson. Henderson was drafted in 1976 and reached the majors by 1979.
Henderson was known for his speed and was nicknamed “The Man of Steal” during his playing days. In 1983, Henderson made MLB history by finishing his third 100 runs/100 stolen bases/100 walks season, which no player after 1900 has achieved. Additionally, he still holds the single-season record for stolen bases, with 130 successfully stolen in 1982.
For the A’s, Henderson was an amazing lead-off hitter. He holds the record for the most lead-off home runs, accumulating 81 lead-off long balls over his 25-year career. He was able to get on base a lot, steal an absurd amount of bases per season, and had great base-running skills.
Even though he played with eight other organizations besides the Athletics, Henderson always returned to Oakland. He had four separate stints with the A’s that made up 14 years of his MLB career. Henderson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2009 – the same year the Oakland Athletics retired his number.
Runner Up: Bob Johnson
Even though the Philadelphia Athletics began to slowly decline during the Great Depression due to all of the team’s stars being sold off, Bob Johnson was just a rookie and remained on the team. He played with the A’s from 1933-1942 and maintained a .298 batting average and .915 OPS while with the organization. Despite playing for some down-and-out teams throughout his career, Johnson continued to succeed and established himself as a solid outfielder in the MLB.
Next: The Outfield: The Backup Fielders
Backup Outfielder: Jose Canseco
This Cuban-American outfielder was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in 1982 in the 15th round. Despite being drafted so late, Jose Canseco made his way through the minor league levels and arrived in the majors in 1985. Before he made his debut in September, he was named the Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year.
The 1986 season was his first full season in the big leagues. He crushed the competition with 33 homers and 117 RBI that year. His success was recognized around the league, and he won the American League Rookie of the Year Award. When Mark McGwire joined the team in 1987 and won Rookie of that Year that season, Canseco and McGwire were nicknamed the Bash Brothers for their offensive power at the plate.
In 1988, Canseco was unanimously named the American League MVP. This would be his last truly healthy season with the Athletics. In 1989, Canseco suffered a broken wrist, and in 1990 he started having problems with his back. Even though the A’s traded him in 1992 to the Texas Rangers, Canseco returned to the Oakland in 1997. Even though his season was once again shortened due to injury, he was able to play again with McGwire that year. Canseco’s bat will be forever remembered in recent Athletic history for being one of the strongest.
Next: The Outfield: The Backup Fielders
Backup Outfielder: Joe Rudi
Outfielder Joe Rudi was a three-time All-Star for the Oakland Athletics, although he made his debut when the team was still in Kansas City. Rudi spent 10 years with the A’s before a four year stint with the Angels and a brief one-year stay in Boston, but he returned to Oakland in 1982 and retired as an Athletic.
The right-handed hitter was primarily an outfielder, but he also spent time at first base. In 1972 and 1974, he was the runner-up MVP, earning nearly 50 percent of the votes. This is in part because in 1972, he ranked second in the AL in runs scored and doubles, first in triples, and ninth in RBIs. In 1974, he was first in extra-base hits, third in RBIs, and fourth in slugging percentage.
In addition to his offense, Rudi was a stellar defender. He was a three-time Gold Glove winner, in addition to his three World Series Championships. Rudi was instrumental in all three victories, both in the field and at the plate.
During a total of 11 seasons with the A’s, Rudi hit .272/.419/.430, with 116 home runs, 540 RBIs, and 487 runs scored. He’s one of the most memorable Athletics stars from his era, and deserves to be on the All-Time roster.
Next: The Bullpen: Closer
Closer: Dennis Eckersley
Right-hander Dennis Eckersley was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in 1972, beginning a 24-year career as a starter and, more famously, as one of the best closers of all time. He was a first-ballot Hall of Famer in 2004, which was hardly a surprise considered that Eckersley was a six-time All-Star.
During his time with Cleveland, Eckersley pitched a no-hitter against the Angels on May 30, 1977. From there, he was traded to the Red Sox the following Spring, and then the Chicago Cubs in 1984. Finally, he landed in Oakland, where he proceeded to have the best years of his career.
During his nine seasons with the Athletics, Eckersley saved 320 games while maintaining a 2.74 ERA. He struck out 658 batters in 637 innings, which is an impressive feat on its own. In 1992, he took home all of the top awards: Cy Young and MVP, plus relief pitcher of the year. Eckersley led the league in saves in 1988 and 1992, and ranked in the top-ten every season from 1987 to 1997. His 390 career saves are the sixth-highest total in major league history.
Eckersley’s number, 43, was retired by the Athletics in 2005 – a fitting tribute to the Bay Area native who was such an important part of A’s history.
Next: The Bullpen: Setup Man
Setup Man: Rollie Fingers
Like many of the Oakland Athletics’ greats, Rollie Fingers started off his MLB career with the Athletics in 1968, the year they moved to Oakland. Even though he had been a starting pitcher for much of his Minor League career and during his first few years in the majors, he was officially sent to bullpen to pitch in relief for the 1972 season.
While in the bullpen, Fingers helped the Oakland Athletics win the World Series three consecutive years in a row from 1972-1974. After the 1974 World Series win, Fingers was given the World Series MVP award because he had collected two saves and one win during that series. In the 16 total games in which he pitched for the Oakland Athletics during a World Series, he earned two wins and six saves.
Throughout his entire career, Fingers saved a total of 341 games. He pitched during a time where relief pitching was starting to become significant and he further proved the importance of relievers to the game of baseball. Additionally, the closer role was not really a permanent position until Fingers excelled in that role. Fingers was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1992 and the Oakland Athletics retired his number just a year later in 1993.
Runner Up: Billy Koch
Even though Billy Koch only pitched for the Oakland Athletics for one season back in 2002, he made an impact on the bullpen. Koch was the closer for the A’s that year and he saved a total of 44 games. Throughout the 93.2 innings pitched, he posted a 3.27 ERA with 93 strikeouts. Despite his success, Koch is remember for giving up the a critical ninth inning homer during the first round of the playoffs that year.
Next: The Bullpen: Middle Reliever #1
Reliever #1: Huston Street
Right-hander Huston Street barely had time to get his feet wet at the minor league level before becoming a major league closer. He was the Athletics’ first round pick in the 2004 draft – chosen 40th overall – and debuted in May of 2005. After an injury to Octavio Dotel, Street became the go-to closer without any big league experience. He excelled, and as a result, he took home the 2005 American League Rookie of the Year award.
Although he currently pitches for the Los Angeles Angels, Street’s years with the Athletics some of the best of his career. In four seasons, he averaged a 2.88 ERA and struck out 271 batters in just 269 innings. He also picked up 94 saves during that time, despite the fact that he wasn’t even 25 years old during his time with the A’s.
In the winter leading up to the 2009 season, the Athletics made a painfully bad deal with the Colorado Rockies that sent Street, pitcher Greg Smith, and future-superstar Carlos Gonzalez to the Rockies in exchange for outfielder Matt Holliday. Holliday was dealt to the St. Louis Cardinals by mid-season, making it potentially a top-ten worst trade ever.
Street went on to post a 3.50 ERA with 84 saves over three years in Colorado (no small feat, given the Rockies’ hitter-friendly environment), and a 2.03 ERA with 80 saves over 131 games with the Padres. Although he struggled a bit last season – if you can really call a 3.18 ERA with 40 saves and 57 strikeouts in 62.1 innings struggling – Street is still an outstanding closer.
Runner-Up: Paul Lindblad
When Paul Lindblad retired, he had recorded the seventh-most appearances of any left-handed pitcher in the history of the game, but he’s probably best known for his combined no-hitter against the Angels on September 28, 1975. Together with Vida Blue, Glenn Abbott and Rollie Fingers, the A’s managed to clinch a no-hit victory on the final day of the season. Lindblad’s career 3.29 ERA and 671 strikeouts are impressive totals as well. Altogether, he spent eleven seasons with Oakland, but he also spent time with Texas and New York. Lindbland retired as a Yankee in 1978.
Next: The Bullpen: Middle Reliever #2
Relief Pitcher #2: Rick Honeycutt
Rick Honeycutt was one of the A’s all-time greats that did not start off in the Athletics’ farm system. Honeycutt was traded to the Oakland Athletics from the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1987 after already having spent ten years in the majors. However, the Athletics were the ones that converted Honeycutt from a starting pitcher to a reliever.
While with the Athletics, Honeycutt was the setup man for A’s all-time great closer Dennis Eckersley. Throughout his time with Oakland, Honeycutt maintained a 3.10 ERA and only allowed 28 home runs in 406.1 innings pitched. Honeycutt was a reliable setup man for the Athletics, but he also recorded 32 saves while with the Green and Gold.
Honeycutt played on six different teams throughout his Major League career but ultimately spent the most time – eight seasons – with the Oakland Athletics. Additionally, his only World Series Championship was won when he was a part of the 1989 Oakland team. He did end up leaving the Athletics in 1993, only to come back for a short time in 1995, and finally leave again for the 1996 season. When he was finishing out the last two season of his MLB career, Honeycutt was the oldest player in Major League Baseball. Honeycutt is now the pitching coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Runner Up: Lefty Grove
Lefty Grove played with the Philadelphia Athletics during their prime years in the late 1920s and early 1930s. He is recognized as one of the best left handed pitchers in Major League history. From 1929 to 1931 with the A’s, Grove won the pitcher’s Triple Crown twice. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1947.
Next: The Bullpen: Middle Reliever #3
Relief Pitcher #3: Darold Knowles
The Athletics acquired Darold Knowles from the Washington Senators in 1971, adding the successful closer to their already-stacked bullpen. After a rough debut season with the Baltimore Orioles in 1965, Knowles spent a year with the Phillies before being dealt to the Senators. With the Phillies, he posted a 3.05 ERA and saved 13 games in 69 appearances, pitching over 100 innings, and he only improved upon that after being dealt to Washington.
After joining the A’s, Knowles spent three and a half seasons in an Oakland uniform. He saved 30 games, pitched a complete-game shutout in one of his six starts, and maintained a 2.99 ERA over the course of his time with the franchise. Altogether, he pitched 270.2 innings and struck out 140 batters.
Knowles was an instrumental part of the 1973 World Series. He pitched in all seven games, allowing no earned runs and picking up a pair of saves. He is the only pitcher to have appeared in all seven games of a World Series, which is a pretty big accomplishment.
Knowles’s 1974 season was hardly as good as his prior year, and he found himself headed to the Chicago Cubs after a disappointing final season in Oakland. Knowles also spent time with the Rangers, Expos and Cardinals before retiring in 1980 with 143 career saves and a life-time 3.12 ERA.
Runner-Up: Jack Coombs
Right-hander Jack Coombs spent the majority of his career as a starter, but back in the day, pitchers weren’t quite as specialized as they are now, and he made plenty of relief appearances between starts. Coombs spent nine years with the Philadelphia Athletics – beginning in 1906 – before moving on to the Brooklyn Robins and Detroit Tigers. They were the best years of his career. During his time as an A’s pitcher, he posted a 2.60 ERA and struck out 870 batters. Coombs sometimes had the opportunity to play from the opposite side of the plate as well: he hit .245, but had four home runs and 19 stolen bases in his career. Not bad for a pitcher.
Next: The Bullpen: Middle Reliever #4
Relief Pitcher #4: Andrew Bailey
Even though this relief pitcher is well-known now after becoming a New York Yankees’ reliever, Andrew Bailey started his big league career with the Oakland Athletics back in 2009. After being drafted in 2006, Bailey made the A’s Opening Day roster in 2009. He seem like an insignificant relief pitcher when the season began, but he quickly proved to be a powerful pitcher.
Bailey was so successful that by the time July 2009 rolled around, he was named to the American League All-Star team. Then, by the time the season ended that year, Bailey had broken the A’s rookie save record, recording a total of 26 saves while maintaining a 1.86 ERA that year. In November, he was named the American League Rookie of the Year.
He continued to be the Athletics’ closer in 2010 and 2011. He earned another All-Star nod in 2010. However, after the 2011 season, the Oakland Athletics traded the budding star to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for Josh Reddick and two prospects.
After a rough season with the Yankees, Bailey is now a free agent. It will be interesting to see where he lands. Perhaps he could be headed back to the West Coast?
Runner Up: Chief Bender
At only 19 years old, Charles “Chief” Bender made his baseball debut with the Philadelphia Athletics in 1903. During his first season, he pitched 270 innings – something that would certainly never happen in today’s game, especially at such a young age. He had a long, successful career as both a starter and reliever, and even went into coaching after he retired from being a player. Like many other early Athletics, he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, getting the required number of votes in 1954.
Next: The Bullpen: Middle Reliever #5
Relief Pitcher #5: Jay Howell
Jay Howell made his debut with the Cincinnati Reds in 1980, then spent the rest of his 15 seasons with a variety of other teams: the Cubs, the Yankees, the A’s, the Dodgers, the Braves, and finally, the Rangers. Howell’s tenure with the Athletics lasted three years, from 1985 to 1987.
Although Howell never won the World Series with the A’s, he did pick up a Championship ring while playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was also a three-time All-Star, including twice during his stint in Oakland.
During his era, Howell was one of the better closers in the game. His 155 saves – 61 of which came in an Athletics uniform – and career 3.34 ERA make him a solid choice to be one of the Athletics’ all-time relievers. He also struck out 666 batters during his career.
Howell’s real claim to fame, however, came in the third game of the 1988 NLCS, when the right-hander was ejected for having pine tar in his glove while on the mound. The infraction resulted in a three-game suspension, but the Dodgers won the World Series anyway, so it’s hard to imagine that Howell cared much about getting caught.
Runner-Up: Grant Balfour
The main reason – well, honestly it’s the only legitimate reason – that Grant Balfour makes this list is because he holds the Athletics’ franchise record for the most consecutive saves, after converting 44 save chances in a row. He signed with the A’s in 2011, after seven seasons in and out of the major leagues with Minnesota, Milwaukee and Tampa Bay. After joining Oakland, Balfour had three consecutive seasons of success, posting a 2.53 ERA and striking out 203 batters over his three years of work. In less-important reasons to make him the runner-up, he’s semi-responsible for the right-field fans’ recent national notoriety. That’s worth something, right?
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As always, feel free to voice your thoughts in the comments below. This list was compiled via a staff vote, so even among the writers, there were plenty of differing opinions on who belonged on the All-Time roster. We’d love to hear yours, too.